Luca spent her work experience week at
Underwater World, Pattaya.
(L to R) Suwanthep “Tony”
Malhotra and Ohmmy from Pattaya Mail show Minhyuk and Tammy from St Andrews
how a newspaper is printed.
Kevin McGee,
Assistant Head of School, St Andrews International School
Schools are great places for learning, but it is only
once you start working in the real world that you can truly put what you
have learnt to the test. From June 13 - 17, Year 10 students at St. Andrews
School, Green Valley were sent out for a week of work experience in order to
test their current knowledge and to learn lessons about life in the adult
world. Upon their return to school, the students were buzzing with
excitement from their experiences. When they returned to school they had to
reflect on this experience and list some of the main things that they had
learnt.
David with Mr. Keith Hanks,
the managing director of E Technologies Group - Asia.
Here are some of them:
* I learnt how to work independently which I’m not always
good at, but in my job I had to do it!
* I had to cope in different situations and be motivated
all the time.
* I improved my communication skills, I had to listen
carefully and ask the right questions.
* I began to understand more about the world of work.
* I learnt to be confident and how to speak with
customers.
* I had to be careful about how I looked and presented
myself. I had to be patient.
* It’s important to show initiative and not just sit back
and wait to be told what to do.
* You need to put in 100% effort at work and you have to
cooperate with everyone.
* I learnt how to work with a supervisor and how to stick
to a schedule.
* I now know more about working with adults and that
every customer has different likes and wants.
* All the children that you teach are different. Some
like to cry, some never stop running. Others learn better visually so you
need to remember that when you teach them.
* You are responsible for your own work so you have to
get it done.
* I learnt the steps I needed to take to become a pilot.
* Different businesses have different structures and
employ main different types of people.
* You need to show initiative and to use your knowledge
and experience in order to solve problems.
* I learnt that working is much harder than studying!
Maureen and Laila worked in
the International
Marketing Department at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Many local companies were delighted to assist our
students in their ‘Work Experience’. They were surprised that the students
were only 15 years old as it was usually university students who came for
work experience. This is the first year that St. Andrews School has run a
work experience programme and to our knowledge we are the only international
school in Thailand who have run such a programme this year! This is a great
achievement and should be a point of pride for everyone in our community.
The local companies were also asked to evaluate the
attitude and performance of the St. Andrews’ students during the work
experience programme.
Sanne worked at the Pattaya
Marriott Resort and Spa Fitness Club.
Here are a few of their comments:
* It was our pleasure to support your students. (The
Marriott, Pattaya)
* The students were upbeat, mature, disciplined and
excited to learn new skills. (The Holiday Inn, Pattaya)
Jaena with Mr. Kim Jong Tok
of De Beaute Hair Salon, Central Festival.
* We are always happy to be part of your fruitful and
great project! (Bangkok Hospital Pattaya)
* Our work experience student was a very good employee.
She overcame her fear of communicating with clients and customers. She was a
great person to work with. (Studio Melodica)
* The St. Andrews’ students were enthusiastic, keen and
paid close attention to what they were being taught. (The Pattaya Mail)
* Fast learning and enthusiastic. (Authentic Thai Spa,
Bangkok)
(Above) Jason worked with
golf pros John and Jeff at the St. Andrews Golf Centre, Green Valley.
(Left) Dagmar and Jasmine at
the Thai Polo and Equestrian Club.
* It was a pleasure having your student with us. He is
welcome back anytime. (St Andrews Golf Centre)
* Keen and eager, always asking what’s next? Always ready
to respond. (Pattaya Cooking School)
* Pleasant and outgoing. He picked up basic programming
techniques quickly and got along well with everyone in the office. (E
Technologies Group - Asia)
* He worked very well. He always tried to do his very
best. (Four Seasons Place Hotel, Pattaya)
* Well mannered, a quick learner and always smiling.
(Thai Airways Maintenance U-Tapao Airport)
Captain Tee works with Thai
Airways maintenance staff at U-Tapao Airport.
Well done then to all of the Year 10 students who did so
well during their work experience. They have returned to school better for
the experience of having to step out of their comfort zone for a week. Thank
you again to all of the companies who generously gave up their time and
resources to be a part of this programme, your help is much appreciated.
Fern working at the Royal
Hills Golf Resort and Spa, Nakon Nayok.
Sangjin worked at the Four
Seasons Place Hotel, Pattaya.
Isada, Earth and Jade were
based at the Holiday Inn, Pattaya.
